Uppsala, Sweden

This conference is organised by the Collegium for Development Studies at Uppsala University, in collaboration with Sida's ICT4D Secretariat, and Division for Democratic Governance.

Time: April 16–17, 2008
Venue: Missionskyrkan, S:t Olofsgatan 40, Uppsala

Information and communication technology (ICT) entails both immense possibilities and great challenges. Globally, huge investments are made in ICT as an undisputed and essential component of almost all activities – state and corporate. It is also an integral part of international development cooperation, with the ultimate goal of poverty reduction.

Poverty includes, in addition to economic poverty and lack of physical resources, also lack of information, possibilities and power. ICT does not differ from other global public goods, where access is determined by resources, intent and power.

However, the rapid spread of ICT – mainly internet and mobile phones – has created tremendous opportunities in making information available instantly and at low cost. It can be used to seek, receive, create and impart information and ideas by anyone, at any time and for any purpose. This makes it possible for users to bypass traditional and official channels of information and communication.

Though no technology is inherently good or bad, it is probable that the use of any technology will reflect the ideology of a society’s dominant power structures, as well as contribute to the very shaping of that society. In sustainable economic and social development ICT is a powerful tool, but as far as democracy is concerned it poses both threats and opportunities.

The use of new technologies thus may lead to increased participation in democracy at all levels of society. ICT is used by social movements for horizontal networking, and it enhances civil society’s possibility to mould opinion, mobilise politically, and to debate and protest.

In government, ICT may increase accountability, efficiency and transparency, and counter corruption through increased flows of information. This may lead to improved interaction and communication between government and citizens. However, the increased possibility for governments to control and monitor may also lead to less freedom for the individual.

At this conference we will address three large areas of concern for development cooperation in the area of democratisation:

1. the implications of ICT for democracy and democratic processes;
2. ICT and the freedom of expression, not least in contexts where tolerance for opposition is low; and
3. ICT and the formation of social movements.

The conference day, April 16, will be an interactive, plenary session with keynote speakers and group discussions:

Anriette Esterhuysen, Association for Progressive Communications, South Africa
Sasha Costanza-Chock, Annenberg School of Communication, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Robert Hårdh, Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, Stockholm
Alice Munyua, Kenya ICT Action Network, Nairobi, Kenya
Helen Belcastro, Sida, ICT4D Secretariat, Stockholm

Chair: Helena Bjuremalm, Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nairobi, Kenya

During the workshop day, April 17, the plenary will break into groups to deepen discussions on the themes raised during the conference, focussing on cases from different parts of the world: China, Egypt, Kenya and Bolivia.
(Participants will be asked for group preference upon confirmation of participation).

Click here for updates on the programme.

There is no conference fee, and lunches and coffee are free.

Conference language: English

To register for the conference, please contact Mia Melin, mia.melin@kus.uu.se no later than March 31!